Focus stiff / crunchy gearbox when cold

[13 DJP]

Evening Chums

The missus` Focus 1.8TDCI (2004) seems to be having gearbox issues when cold.

First thing in the morning this last week it has been fine in 1st and 2nd, but then really stiff and finally crunching into 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Once warm it seems fine

Has anyone got any ideas?

Cheers
Dave

[Defcon5]

A change of gearbox oil may work wonders

[Justin S]

Try lubricating any linkages etc. Maybe when warmed up they are freeing off.

[13 DJP]

Well have now had the gearbox oil changed and it`s made absolutely no difference at all

I know the chap at the garage pretty well and he suggested it may be the clutch, does anyone agree with this?

It was changed by Stroppys mate just before she bought it, so hopefully they will take a look and see, they said they would warrant it for 12 months and it was done last May, so still within time.

Just seems a bit odd to me that it would be the clutch, do clutches "warm up" and then work properly?

[lemonslap]

Our ST170 is the same, colder it is the harder it is to change gear. Sorts it's self out once warmed up though! All been since I changed the gear oil to an expensive oil from opie (75w-90)last service, will go back to the Ford stuff when I service it in the summer.

[neiljohnson]

Sounds like the gearbox is getting a bit tired

Either way the box needs to come out for a look if the clutch looks ok then gearbox will need doing plenty of used ones about so probably the cheapest option.

[13 DJP]

UPDATE

Clutch fell to the floor on Saturday and stroppy refused to drive it, so it sat on the drive until earlier when I had the chance to have a look.

I pulled the clutch up and it drove ok again, allbeit a little stiff into gears and brakes appeared a tad spongy. I`ve checked the brake fluid level and that is fine.

My mechanic reckons it`s clutch master cylinder (without having seen the car) and has ordered the part so fingers crossed this works.

But........has anyone else had similar and was it the master cylinder or not?

Cheers
Dave

[neiljohnson]

13 DJP said:

UPDATE

Clutch fell to the floor on Saturday and stroppy refused to drive it, so it sat on the drive until earlier when I had the chance to have a look.

I pulled the clutch up and it drove ok
again, allbeit a little stiff into gears and brakes appeared a tad spongy. I`ve checked the brake fluid level and that is fine.

My mechanic reckons it`s clutch master cylinder (without having seen the car) and has ordered the part so fingers crossed this works.

But........has anyone else had similar and was it the master cylinder or not?


Cheers
Dave

Could be the master but normally when they fail or are failing you get a bit of fluid running down the clutch pedal if you run your hand up the pedal you will feel it or you may see a small mark on the mat under the pedal, other thing it could be is the slave inside the gearbox.

One other part to check is I think you will find the clutch pedal return spring is either broken of adrift as even of the hydraulics fail the spring should return the pedal this part is needed to prevent premature wear on the release bearing

[13 DJP]

Cheers Neil, I`ll suggest that to him.